"Are you sure you can't make it tonight?" I asked again, just as hopeful as the first time I approached my grandfather about the supper.

       "If I could physically attend the supper, I would." He was sincere. "But I don't have the power to make her see me."

      Though I couldn't help but sigh, I nodded in understanding. I knew I was asking for a lot. Something told me that very few people had been granted the opportunity of having their girlfriend meet their grandad's ghost.

       "I just wish there was a way to explain it to her." I slumped into my seat at the kitchen table. "She hasn't said anything about it, but I'm sure she thinks it's unlikely that you could be as busy as you are. She thinks you're avoiding her."

       Grandpa paused then. Gaze strained on his feet for many moments, finally he regarded me curiously. "You think it bothers her deeply?"

       I nodded without hesitation. "I've met most of her family, many times too, and she's never so much as even seen you from a far. She probably thinks I'm ashamed of her, which is so far from the truth."

      "It bothers you too," grandpa noted.

I fell silent, stirring my bowl of oatmeal shyly. Eventually I met his eyes.

"I totally understand why you can't, but yes, it bothers me that you can't meet her... There's something special about introducing your loved ones to another person you love. I won't get to introduce her to the rest of my family. I've accepted that... But I thought she might have a chance with you."

He watched me a few moments longer with a sad look in his eyes. "I'm sorry," is all he managed to say.

       Squeezing my shoulder on the way out, he headed towards the door.

       "You're leaving already?" I remarked with disappointment.

       "I have unforeseen matters to handle." He left without another word. Evasive. No explanations offered.

        As soon as the last bell rang, I packed both my and Lexi's things, eagerly dragging her to the car. I drove home in record speed, immediately instructing Lexi to sit at the table while I went to work in the kitchen. I was determined to make grandma's famous lasagna on my own, determined to impress the girl watching me from the kitchen table. Though I had handed her a new book to keep her occupied, the bookmark remained unmoved as Lexi had chosen to chat me up instead, occasionally giggling at my natural talent of making a mess. Tomato sauce streaked across my forehead, I grinned as I answered all her questions about my grandmother and her notorious culinary skills. Eyes flicking between the brunette and the untouched book in her hand, I couldn't help but feel important. There was not much Lexi-Graced prioritized more than reading.

      When the dish was safely deposited in the oven, most of the sauce wiped from the counter and the floor, I popped The Prisoner of Azkaban in the DVD player. I bought the entire series the very day I had heard Lexi mention it months ago, playing her favourite that night.

       Both crammed on the same small cushion on the large sofa, few minutes in the film, I turned towards Lexi to gauge her reaction at a funny line. She wasn't even looking at the screen, distracted by one the cigars on the living room table. Grandpa had the tendency to leave them everywhere. A half-smoked cigar could be found in just about every room in the house.

       "My grandpa's," I offered as explanation.

        Lexi almost looked surprised.

       "I told you I didn't make him up." I chuckled. "I really do live with him, he's just a very busy man."

      She smiled in acknowledgement and forced her attention back to the screen. Catching a glimpse of self-doubt cross her features, I straightened my relaxed position. Essentially sitting in my lap, Lexi too was forced to move.

       "I don't think so," I started sternly. "I saw that look."

       "I'm sorry?" Lexi looked flabbergasted; brows pinched together so tightly that they nearly became one. The expression was so cute that I momentarily forgot what I was saying.

       "My grandpa really is running errands. His absence does not have anything to do with you. And I'll be damned if you for even one moment think I'm ashamed of you. Do you need a repetition of my speech from the dinner?"

       "No!" she said promptly, in a tone of panic but still highly amused. "I get it, you think I'm amazing. It was cute and all, but its repetition isn't necessary—"

       Lexi's words cut short when she took notice of my smirk. "God that sounded conceited," she groaned. "I only said it to shut you up. I didn't actually—"

       "You didn't actually, what?" I challenged. "Mean it? If that's what you were going to say, then our problem isn't solved, is it? I think—"

        "You're impossible!" she laughed, placing a hand over my mouth. "And you're putting words in my mouth."

        With the intention of responding I stuck out my tongue. With a yelp, Lexi's hand was successfully removed. She wiped her wet palm against my jeans with playfully narrowed eyes.

        "I would never put words into such a great writer's mouth."

        Lexi rolled her eyes.

        "No eye rolling. I'm quite convinced that you're going to be one of the greatest writers of our generation."

        Lexi snorted. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I think you're being a little bias."

       "Am I?" I challenged, cocking my head.

       "Stop," she laughed.

       "Stop what?"

       "You're being a real pain." Though she complained, her amused state remained evident by the twinkle in her eyes, body leaned easily against mine.

       "Funny you say that but remain practically seated in my lap."

        Lexi narrowed her eyes at my smug grin. "Only because I deemed my comfort greater than the annoyance, you're currently causing me."

        "Ah, so you stay out of convenience." Though I feigned realization, my smug stance was a clear indicator of my amused disbelief.

        "Upon reconsideration, perhaps you are more insufferable than I had initially believed." Lexi made move to stand.

        She didn't get far. Taking a hold of her hips, I pulled her back into my lap; even closer than before. Hand under her chin, I held her face a breath away from mine.

       "There's no use pretending, I know you love me."

        Lexi squinted her eyes at the ground, as though musing over my declaration. Just to further rile me up, she tilted her head with puckered lips as if to demonstrate her lenience towards disagreeing with my proclamation.

        Leaning forward, Lexi in turn, maintained her act and leaned away from me. She struggled in my arms, but put little force behind the action, as though to ensure she wasn't successful. Forcing a kiss to her cheek, Lexi responded with a look of repulsion, whipping the wet surface with her shoulder. Keeping a tight grip on her hips with one arm, and a light hold of her head with my other hand, I kept her close.

       "Lexi-Grace, you love me," I insisted, pestering her face with more kisses in between each word.

       My lips touching every inch of her face, but her lips, Lexi couldn't help but giggle. "And you love my insufferability," I added.

        Nose still crinkled in feigned disgust; Lexi met my gaze. "I don't think that's a word," she teased; face suddenly so close to mine that her breath tickled my waiting lips.

       "Shut up," I laughed, finally closing the distance.

        Both still laughing, the kiss was short, nearly impossible for our lips to touch, when our mouths were spread into such wide grins. Forehead resting against hers, noses bumping, somehow, I found myself fully leaning over Lexi. Taking over the entire couch, Lexi's body was pressed firmly into the cushions. Her long curls sprawled across the leather, and dark eyes still crinkled in laughter, she took my breath away. As if in a trance, my gaze didn't leave her, living room blurring in insignificance. Taking notice of the change in my state, Lexi's humored smile faded. She met my eyes with the same intensity, but a slight confusion mixed to her regard.

        I had been a fidgety kid, always needing to be on the move, but here, so close to Lexi, I could find no reasoning for ever wanting to move.

        "Every time I convince myself that I can't possibly fall more in love with you, you manage to pull me in even deeper... I am so proud of you," I whispered, speaking quietly and slowly to emphasize every word.

        Lexi let out a shaky breath, lips parted with unspoken words. Shaky breaths mingling, leisurely our lips reconnected, and this time there was no separating them. We had shared many kisses, but still I felt giddy; butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I thought I would get used to the feeling, but every time, I found myself even more intoxicated than before. Every kiss felt like our first. The longing and desire impossibly deepened every time I touched her. Her distinctive smell and taste, and the sensation of her wandering fingers would never fail to lead to a near loss of my sense of reality. I was her first everything in terms of relationships and I refused to risk disappointing her by going too fast. For her sake, I wanted to take things slow, but to do so I required great self-restraint. The way her tongue rolled around mine, one of her legs pressed between both of mine and small fingers scratching against my skin, slowly venturing down my body... I was struggling to muster any bit of restraint.

       Momentarily pulling away, I hoped what could be passed for a need to catch my breath, would instead give me the chance to compose myself. The result of the action was quite the opposite of my intentions. Lexi dragged her lips just below my jaw, and all hope was lost. Releasing my tight grip of the cushion, I finally let myself melt into Lexi and the way she made me feel.

        Easily finding my weaknesses, Lexi smiled against my skin when a content noise escaped my throat. So, caught up in the grace of her touch and the movement of her lips, before I knew it, I was helping her remove my shirt. Small hands running softly against my bare chest, my own hands roamed her body, not daring to venture under her shirt. As much as I lacked the restraint to stop her, I could refrain from initiating anything.

        Movement of our lips slowing, Lexi pulled away ever so slightly. Still close enough for our noses to touch, gazing deep into my eyes, Lexi guided my hands to the hem of her sweater. With a shaky breath, I swallowed another groan at the mere thought of where her silent request might lead. Carefully, along with her guidance, I removed the sweater.

        White undershirt fitting her curves perfectly, my jaw clenched. I wanted nothing more than to remove the thin piece of garment as well, but despite her many initiations I remained fearful of pushing her too fast. This was far too important to me. She was too important to me.

        Easily noting my inner torment, when I finally met her eyes, in her gaze I found patience. She was waiting for me to go on; urging me to go on. Her display of shared desire was my last straw. Grip of her shirt tight, I brought my lips to her throat, slowly trailing downwards. I think the tantalizing slowness of my action was torturing me more than her. Lips moving downward as my hands worked on pulling the shirt upwards, I thought there was no better feeling than Lexi's soft skin against mine. A content hum escaped her throat as my skin properly met hers. Small noise vibrating against my swollen lips, all rational thoughts vanished. Hopeless groan escaping me, mind overwhelmed as my thoughts moved faster than my actions, I was forced to take a pause. Still gripping her shirt, my lips hovered momentarily over her heaving chest, once again seeking permission in her gaze. Mustering the composure to keep going, the shirt was nearly completely over her head when we were abruptly interrupted. Though neither of us had paid notice to the opening nor closing of the front door, we very much responded to the deep voice echoing across the living room.

        "Lasagna smells amazing!" Grandpa announced, walking past us and towards the kitchen. Nonchalant, he shot no regard in our direction. My jaw cracked open not just at the surprise of his sudden appearance, but by the way Lexi's horror-stricken features meant she could see the dead man.

        In flustered and panicked swinging, Lexi attempted to fix her shirt, and I fell to the floor in surprise. I don't think she even realised that she basically launched me off the couch. Both flushed before grandpa's arrival, Lexi's face was bright red for very different reasons. Still on the floor, I noted the lingering panic in her eyes and cringed. I kept my head down, as if to hide from her. But grandpa far out of sight, Lexi leaned over the sofa, eyes boring into her shirtless boyfriend. I offered her a few nervous chuckles.

       "I thought you said he wouldn't be here!" she hissed quietly.

       Under different circumstances her anger would have worried me, but with her wild hair and bright, swollen lips I couldn't help but think her state anything but cute. I bit back a smile.

        "I was under the impression that he wouldn't be here. He said so."

       Throwing herself back onto the sofa, Lexi covered her face with her hands, groaning in embarrassment.

       "I thought you wanted to meet him?" I joked, sitting up.

       Peeking through her fingers, she shot me her best glare. I grimaced again.

       "Not the time for humor, got it," I muttered, coming to a stand.

        Pulling her by the hands, I forced her into a sitting position.

        "I'll fix it," I promised. "I know my grandpa, and I can guarantee that he is amused. He won't even mention it... You just go to the bathroom; I'll talk to him."

       Still evidently stressed, she nodded along to my words, suddenly frowning. "Bathroom?"

        I handed her my phone, so she could catch her reflection. "I don't particularly care how you choose to style your hair, but I figured you may have a problem with your current state."

        Taking in her wild curls and swollen lips, brown eyes widened like saucers. She inhaled sharply, exhale never coming out. Uh oh.

        "Don't panic." I handed her her sweater, guiding her towards the bathroom. "And please breathe."

         Wordlessly, she let herself be guided; absentmindedly taking the grey sweater. Only when she caught a second glance of her reflection in the bathroom mirror, did she snap out of it, shutting the door in my face with marked determination.

         Retrieving my shirt from the lamp, I took a steadying breath before facing my grandfather. Not sure how to begin, I entered the kitchen and shot him a crazed look. I decided my best bet was to place the blame on him.

        "You feeling alright?" he teased. "You're a little flushed."

        "You can tease me all you want tonight, but I beg you, for Lexi's sake, please pretend nothing happened. She's already freaking out."

        "My timing was rather unfortunate, but no worries I've caught much worse. Your mother and father—"

       I swung my arms wildly, urging him to stop speaking. That was so not a story I needed to hear.

        "I thought you said you couldn't come. Couldn't force her to see you?"

       "Things change. Exceptions can be made." He spoke casually, setting the kitchen table as if he had not gone out of his way to make this meeting happen.

        I watched him with a fond smile, concluding that he had left in a hurry this morning to do some sweet-talking.

        "Thank you," I uttered, whole-heartedly.

        Grandpa shrugged indifferently, brushing off the subject, but I knew better. If he had thought attending the supper would be impossible, he must have had to pull a lot of strings to be present. He had gone out of his way to make sure that he could properly meet Lexi. And I would forever be grateful for that, no matter his awful timing.

        Just as I began to fear that Lexi had escaped through the bathroom window, finally I saw her timidly peak her head into the hallway. Hair returned to normal, but lips still bright red, I met her scared eyes and smiled reassuringly. With a nod of head, I gestured for her to come forward.

        Though still flushed, she happily shook my grandad's hand when I made official introductions. Despite her perceived horror, I could tell that Lexi was pleased.

       "It's nice to finally meet you," grandpa said, passing us our plates. "I've heard much about you. I'm afraid, Jaxson never stops talking about you."

        I rolled my eyes at what I considered a typical approach, but smiled, nonetheless. I truthfully hadn't expected him to do anything but try to embarrass me. Lexi smiled too, slowly warming up.

        "All good things," grandpa promised. "He actually once complained about the fact that he couldn't find anything wrong with you."

        Lexi laughed, shooting me a sideways glance. "I hope you're not the one who suggested my running him over with a car would fix that."

        Despite the teasing aimed my way, I smiled radiantly, proud that Lexi was so quickly showing comfort in a situation she deemed anxiety provoking. A few months ago, she would have only smiled and nodded as acknowledgement to grandpa's statement. She was beginning to speak freely, seeing the value behind her own words.

       "I certainly was not," grandpa laughed; brows furrowed as he shot me an exaggerated look of dissatisfaction.

       "It was a joke," I defended myself.

       "Joke or not, most of the ideas that cross your mind worry me profoundly."

       They both laughed at the affronted expression painted on my face. "I thought you'd throw in some compliments. You're really jumping straight into embarrassing me?" I huffed indignantly, but a smile played at my lips, nonetheless.

         "Much more fun this way, isn't it?"

        The man kept his promise. He re-told every one of my embarrassing childhood stories; from my beloved Barney night-light to my fifth grade Christmas concert mishaps and to my latest episodes of panic sparked by Lexi. The smiles and laughter that erupted Lexi, vanished any sense of shame. I would have happily let grandpa retell the detailed stories over and over again, as long as it brought the same humor to Lexi's eyes.